Aphrodite Giant

Breed Characteristics:

Affectionate with Family

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Some cat breeds are typically independent and aloof, even if they've been raised by the same person since kittenhood; others bond closely to one person and are indifferent to everyone else; and some shower the whole family with affection. Breed isn't the only factor that goes into affection levels; cats who were raised inside a home with people around feel more comfortable with humans and bond more easily.See Cats Less Affectionate with Family

Amount of Shedding

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If you're going to share your home with a cat, you'll need to deal with some level of cat hair on your clothes and in your house. However, shedding does vary among the breeds. If you're a neatnik, you'll need to either pick a low-shedding breed or relax your standards. This furniture cover can make it easier to clean up cat hair and keep it off your sofa!

• See Cats with Low Amount of Shedding

General Health

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Due to poor breeding practices, some breeds are prone to certain genetic health problems. This doesn't mean that every cat of that breed will develop those diseases; it just means that they're at an increased risk. If you're looking only for purebred cats or kittens, it's a good idea to find out which genetic illnesses are common to the breed you're interested in.See Cats Prone to Health Problems

Potential for Playfulness

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Some cats are perpetual kittens—full of energy and mischief—while others are more serious and sedate. Although a playful kitten sounds endearing, consider how many games of chase the mouse-toy you want to play each day, and whether you have kids or other animals who can stand in as playmates. A classic wand cat toy like this one is perfect for playful felines!

• See Cats with Low Potential for Playfulness

Tendency to Vocalize

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Some breeds sound off more often than others with meows, yowls, and chattering. When choosing a breed, think about how the cat vocalizes and how often. If constant "conversation" drives you crazy, consider a kitty less likely to chat.See Cats with Lower Tendency to Vocalize

Kid-Friendly

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Being tolerant of children, sturdy enough to handle the heavy-handed pets and hugs they can dish out, and having a nonchalant attitude toward running, screaming youngsters are all traits that make a kid-friendly cat. Our ratings are generalizations, and they're not a guarantee of how any breed or individual cat will behave; cats from any breed can be good with children based on their past experiences and personality.See Least Kid Friendly Cats

Friendly Toward Strangers

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Stranger-friendly cats will greet guests with a curious glance or a playful approach; others are shy or indifferent, perhaps even hiding under furniture or skedaddling to another room. However, no matter what the breed, a cat who was exposed to lots of different types, ages, sizes, and shapes of people as a kitten will respond better to strangers as an adult.

• See Cats Shy Toward Strangers

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Easy to Groom

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Some breeds require very little in the way of grooming; others require regular brushing to stay clean and healthy. Consider whether you have the time and patience for a cat who needs daily brushing. You should definitely pick up this awesome de-shedding tool for cats of any hair length!

• See Cats That Need to Groom

Intelligence

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Some cat breeds are reputed to be smarter than others. But all cats, if deprived the mental stimulation they need, will make their own busy work. Interactive cat toys are a good way to give a cat a brain workout and keep them out of mischief. This scratcher cat toy can keep your smart kitty busy even when you're not home!

• See Cats with Less Intelligence

Pet Friendly

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Friendliness toward other household animals and friendliness toward humans are two completely different things. Some cats are more likely than others to be accepting of other pets in the home.

• See Least Pet Friendly Cats

More About This Breed

• History

  The Aphrodite Giant is a cat from Cyprus, where they're one of two naturally occurring breeds. It's often speculated that the breed was originally discovered living high up in the mountains, which accounts for their muscular physique and long legs that helped them master the terrain and stalk larger prey.

  The cat's extra thick coat also helped them survive in cold mountain climates. The Aphrodite Giant is one of the world's oldest cat breeds, having been around for nearly 10,000 years.

  In 2012, the World Cat Federation officially started to acknowledge the Aphrodite Giant.

  These days, you may find Aphrodite Giants in shelters or in the care of rescue groups. Consider adoption if you decide this is the breed for you!

• Size

  The Aphrodite Giant is a large cat. As is always the case, exact size standards might vary.

  Most male Aphrodite Giants weigh in at 15 to 24 pounds and most female Aphrodite Giants are between ten and 14 pounds.

• Personality

  There's no doubt about it: The Aphrodite Giant is a total gentle giant of a cat. These kitties are exceptionally affectionate and very quickly form very strong and lasting loving bonds with all of the humans in their life--and they do especially well with children.

  The breed does best when living with a large and active family with a lot of activity going on around them. These cats love to feel as if they're part of the day's fun and games.

  As a large cat with mountain dwelling history, the breed will require at least one cat tree to climb up and claim for their own, and the bigger their living space, the better it is for their welfare.

  But while the Aphrodite Giant is definitely an athletic looking feline, you'll find that the breed also loves nothing more than to curl up on the couch with their favorite humans and nap the afternoon away.

• Health

  Aphrodite Giants are generally considered to be healthy cats; although, it's important to schedule regular wellness visits with your cat's vet.

  Some of the more common health problems Aphrodite Giants suffer from include:

  • Ear infections
  • Obesity
  • Hairballs

• Care

  As with all cats, it's important to keep up your Aphrodite Giant's regular veterinary checkups to detect any health concerns early. Your vet can help you develop a care routine that will keep your cat healthy.

  The Aphrodite Giant is a smart cat. Along with providing a large enough space for the cat to enjoy living in, you'll need to ensure that there are smart toys to keep the breed mentally stimulated. Interactive treat toys are ideal, and due to the cat's history living in the mountains and stalking prey, you should look for feeding stations that require the cat to figure out how to gain access to their food.

  Along with scheduling yearly wellness vet visits, your Aphrodite Giant will need their nails checked on a regular basis. Ask your vet how best to do this if you're new to feline maintenance. Access to a scratching post or station--whether made of corrugated cardboard or sisal--is also imperative.

  Beyond nail care, you'll want to examine the cat's ears for signs of dirt building up or possible infection, and clean them if needed. Also, make sure to speak to your regular vet about a teeth brushing regimen for your Aphrodite Giant.

• Coat Color And Grooming

  The Aphrodite Giant's coat can come in a wide array of colors, although it's never been spotted in chocolate, lilac, or mink.

  The Aphrodite Giant can be either a short-haired or a long-haired cat. Which variety you adopt will determine how often you'll need to brush the thick coat. For long-haired cats, this should be carried out every other day. Proper brushing will also help ward off the chances of hairballs.

  As with all breeds, keep a close eye out for any mats that might be starting to develop while you're grooming the cat. Remember, regular brushing will help keep the cat's coat clean and healthy!

  When it comes to weather, the Aphrodite Giant is generally seen as an adaptable cat who can normally live happily in most climates, and their thicker-than-usual coat means they do better than most felines in cold conditions. Just remember to always make sure adequate shade and fresh water is provided when the temperature spikes.

• Children And Other Pets

  The Aphrodite Giant fares great when living with children. The cat will form loving bonds with the kids in your home. Just be sure that early socialization takes place and boundaries are properly set on both sides--and supervise early interactions between kids and cats.

  When it comes to other household pets, the Aphrodite Giant is usually fine around other domestic animals. Although, you'll want to supervise early interactions between the new cat and existing pets.

  Ultimately, early socialization really pays off with this breed. Make sure to reward your Aphrodite Giant for good behavior when you bring them home to your family.

• Rescue Groups

  It may be hard to find a breed specific rescue for Aphrodite Giant cats because they are a somewhat rare. However, you may want to try shelters and rescues that cater to all types of cats, including Aphrodite Giants, as well as your local shelter. Here are some nonprofit rescues you can try:

  • Hope for Paws
  • Best Friends Animal Society

  You can also try CatTime's adoption page that lets you search for adoptable cats by breed and zip code!